Will A Pull-Up Bar Damage Your Doorframe
The recent craze of doorframe pull-up bars has left many homeowners and tenants worried about the potential damage they cause.
Yes, regardless of the mitigation techniques implemented, a pull-up bar always damages a doorframe when used over a long duration of time. However, the extent to which wear and tear shows (as well as possibly collapsing) depends on the wall integrity and fitting of the pull-up bar.
Will A Pull-Up Bar Break Your Doorframe
It’s not all bad news. From our experience and research, we concluded pull-up bars do a lot less damage than people worry about:
No, a pull-up bar is unlikely to break down your doorframe or wall. Your hands are shoulder-width apart when hanging on a bar, so the weight you drag onto the doorframe is evenly spread across a large distance. As a result, the pressure pulling on the wall isn’t strong enough to make it collapse.
Using physics, the formulae is P=F/A where p is pressure, f is force, and a is area. The pressure reduces as your force (body weight) spreads over a large area (shoulder width apart).
Using the same logic, executing close-hand grip pull-ups or one-handed pull-ups results in greater wear and tear – as you shorten the area. This means you exert more pressure on the doorframe; however, it’s still unlikely to break because of its support.
What Damage Does A Pull-Up Bar Do To A Doorframe
Pull-up bars are known to rip the doorframe’s paint, dent the wood molding, and shred the wood where the bar makes contact. The extent to which it’s noticeable depends on what the pull-up bar is made of; denser materials, like metal, result in a larger impact than softer ones, such as plastic.
For the most part, you can restore the damage – or at least hide it.
In terms of structure damage, the doorframe should be very secure and hold your weight. While minor dents are frequent, it’s uncommon for a dent to be deep enough to risk the wall’s structure. As a result, it’s unlikely you’ll have to replace a doorframe for using a pull-up bar.
However, if there are noticeably large dents, breaking noises, or you don’t feel stable – remove the pull-up bar immediately and consult a specialist.
Where Does A Pull-Up Bar Damage A Doorframe
The damage is found at the pull-up bars and doorframes contact points. More specifically, the wear and tear is most noticeable directly above where you grip the bar. You expose your doorframe to the most pressure at these points; because your grip is holding your body weight – resulting in more rubbing.
You can clearly see this below:
How To Prevent Doorframe Damage From A Pull-Up Bar
To minimize the damage a pull-up bar has on a doorframe, you should:
- Use foam padding on the points of contact.
- Measure your doorframe to purchase an appropriate size bar.
Does Foam Stop Doorframe Damage From A Pull-Up Bar
The foam helps cushion the pull-up bar on the doorframe – which protects the paint. However, you can also find rubber or soft-plastic guards, which minimize friction. It won’t completely stop paint peeling, but it will delay the process.
Most pull-up bars come with some form of protection, so you don’t need to install them yourself.
Does Door Width Impact Damage From A Pull-Up Bar
It’s essential to purchase a pull-up bar appropriate to the width of your doorframe to prevent further damage (and ensure safety). Before purchasing one, the bar’s thickness, length, and width should match your doorframe.
Most pull-up bars are one-size-fits-all but always double-check to avoid excess damage.
Which Is The Best Doorframe Pull-Up Bar
Doorframe pull-up bars don’t have variety. They mostly have the same function, installation, and durability and sit at $10-$30. So the best doorframe isn’t a specific brand or model – it’s the one that fits your door the best.
However, if you can, always choose a stand-alone pull-up bar over a doorframe one. While they are more expensive, they’re safer; you can do more tricks and install them on grass – so any installation damage grows back.
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